The Tigers announced today they’ve selected the contract of right-handed reliever Bryan Garcia. Outfielder JaCoby Jones, already known to be out for the season, was transferred to the 60-day injured list to create 40-man roster space.
Garcia, 24, ranks 23rd among Tiger farmhands at Fangraphs, where Kiley McDaniel and Eric Longenhagen praise the Tommy John survivor’s mid-90’s fastball and plus slider. Garcia has stayed healthy all season and logged a 2.97 ERA in the hitter-friendly International League over 33.1 innings. His strikeout (23.9%) and walk (10.1%) rates with Triple-A Toledo are less impressive than the run prevention numbers, but he’ll nonetheless get a chance to cement himself as a long-term piece in a Tiger bullpen that sorely needs them.
fresh meat for the grinder
The guy flew through all four levels of the minors in one season and then missed all of 2018 and part of 2019 after TJ surgery. You’ll see his name for quite a while.
Tigers have some very interesting relief pitchers that can be making names for themselves soon… Garcia, Schreiber, Drew Carlton, and Zach Houston. All around 24 years old and having solid seasons out of the pen.
They of course have a solid stable of starters that are close in Mize, Manning, Skubal, and Wentz.
Potential decent pieces in Funkhouser, Faedo, Burrows, Soto and Alexander.
Pitching horizon looks very bright.
They desperately need some offense.
Willi Castro, Christian Stewart, Jake Rogers, and Victor Reyes look like they will be starting in Detroit next year. Not sold on Candelario at third. They could use some major improvements on offense.
They are going to have to agree that they are not going to be a home run hitting team, especially in Comerica. They are on their way with speed and decent baserunning to becoming the type of team they have to be. They will need consistent good at bats and take the walks when they can get them. Bunting will become an essential part of the offense. Stewart and Rogers are going to have to pick up their hitting if they want to start.
Comerica is a hitters park this year. They are 12th in home runs at Comerica. and 8th in runs scored.